What if we could capture carbon emissions at low cost, using a common polymer found in dinnerware and utensils? Researchers at UC Berkeley and Stanford have developed a method for using melamine to capture carbon dioxide from smokestacks and vehicle exhaust, with efficiency comparable to more expensive materials. This breakthrough could help achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and the researchers are exploring ways to improve the carbon capture efficiency even further.

Scientists have developed a simple and low-cost method to break down almost a dozen types of "forever chemicals" known as PFAS, which have contaminated virtually every drop of water on the planet and are associated with certain cancers and thyroid diseases. By using a chemical guillotine and common solvents and reagents, they severed the molecular bonds in PFAS, gradually nibbling away at the molecule until it was gone, leaving behind only safe byproducts. This breakthrough could eventually make it easier for water treatment plants to remove PFAS from drinking water.

Did you know that visiting a website can generate up to 10 times the recommended carbon emissions? Learn how businesses are reducing their web carbon footprint through renewable hosting and optimizing web design. Discover the tools that can help you calculate your website's environmental impact and explore the case study of a product design studio that reduced its homepage carbon emissions by 96%.

Mining has been a crucial part of human civilization for centuries, providing us with the resources we need to build, create and thrive. But with this extraction comes consequences, particularly in the form of mine tailings. Mine tailings are the waste materials left over after the ore has been extracted, and they can have significant impacts on the environment, particularly with regards to climate change. To understand the impact of mine tailings, it's important to first understand the science behind mining. When ore is extracted, the minerals are separated from the rest of the material, leaving behind a mixture of minerals, water, and other substances. This mixture is called tailings, and it can contain harmful chemicals, such as heavy metals, that can leach into the environment. Leading academics in the field, such as Dr. Sara Colombo and Dr. Jian Kang, have studied the environmental impact of mine tailings and have found that they can lead to soil and water pollution, as well as contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. For example, Dr. Colombo's research has shown that tailings dams can release large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. These impacts are a concern for many communities, as well as for the planet as a whole. But despite this, there is hope for a more sustainable future. Researchers like Dr. Jian Kang are working to develop new technologies that can reduce the environmental impact of mine tailings, such as using them as a source of energy instead of just waste.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most dangerous greenhouse gases that is causing global warming and climate change. It stays in the atmosphere for much longer than other gases such as methane, which only stays in the atmosphere for about 12 years, while CO2 can remain in the atmosphere for thousands of years. Leading climate scientists such as Dr. James Hansen agree that increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are causing global temperatures to rise, leading to melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and more frequent and intense natural disasters such as hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires. Decarbonization is the process of reducing the carbon footprint of our economy by transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. This is crucial in order to prevent dangerous levels of global warming and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. One promising innovation in the field of decarbonization is carbon capture and storage (CCS), which involves capturing CO2 emissions from power plants and industrial processes and storing them underground. Another is the development of electric vehicles, which produce zero emissions and have the potential to greatly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Leading academics in the field, such as Dr. David McCollum, have emphasized the importance of decarbonization in limiting global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius, a threshold beyond which the impacts of climate change would become catastrophic and irreversible.

"Reverse Ocean Acidification: A Solution to Our Carbon Dioxide Problem?" - As carbon dioxide emissions continue to threaten our planet, researchers at MIT may have found an innovative way to remove the gas from ocean water in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The versatility of their membrane-free electrochemical cell process could even lead to overall net negative emissions, reversing ocean acidification caused by carbon dioxide buildup.

Scientists at MIT have developed a process that could significantly reduce the cost of using carbon capture to fight global warming by drawing CO2 out of seawater. The process could appeal to small nations whose economies rely on tourism, aquaculture, and fishing industries that could be severely damaged by climate change. Another company, Captura Corp., is also working on a similar process and has received financial support from Saudi Arabian Oil Co. and a $1 million grant from a carbon removal XPRIZE competition.

"Rocks are becoming rocks again!" says chemist Peter Psarras from the Clean Energy Conversions Lab (CECL) at the University of Pennsylvania. Psarras and his team are turning waste from industrial mines into magnesium carbonate through a carbon-neutral and inexpensive process, with the goal of storing CO2. With five partner mines, the CECL lab, funded by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, is exploring the environmental potential of mine tailings and determining the scalability of the carbonation process. Join Psarras and the CECL in their mission to tap into the "moved mountain" of waste and be inspired by their cutting-edge technology.

New research shows that the cost of annual flooding in the UK could increase by up to 23% over the next century due to climate change, unless all international pledges to reduce carbon emissions are met. The study, led by the University of Bristol and Fathom, highlights the need for urgent action to mitigate the impact of climate change on the risk of flooding across the UK. The research also identifies the areas of the UK where risks will increase the most, including densely populated cities such as London, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.

Scientists at A\*STAR's IMRE have successfully upcycled PET plastic waste into polymer electrolytes, which are key components for safer LiBs. This paves the way for a future powered by more sustainable energy, creating a circular economy while combating the mounting plastic waste issue. The team aims to advance the technology for upcycling waste plastics on a larger scale to create components for eco-friendly batteries.

Wildfires can have a lasting impact on the ozone layer, a new MIT study shows. Smoke particles from the Australian "Black Summer" megafire triggered a chemical reaction that depleted ozone by 3-5% at mid-latitudes in the southern hemisphere, with effects reaching as far as Antarctica. The study highlights the need to consider the impact of wildfires on ozone recovery efforts and suggests that as long as ozone-depleting chemicals persist in the atmosphere, large fires could spark a reaction that temporarily depletes ozone.

The world's shift towards electric vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will require a huge demand for critical metals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and platinum. This demand will have economic and supply-chain consequences, according to new research from Cornell University. Discover how countries can manage this demand and promote a circular economy for critical metals.

Batteries are a crucial part of our modern lives, powering everything from our smartphones to our cars. But the production and disposal of batteries have significant environmental impacts, from toxic chemicals and heavy metals to greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, there are sustainable options and alternatives to batteries that can help mitigate these negative effects. One such option is kinetic energy, which converts motion into electricity. For example, the piezoelectric effect harnesses energy from pressure, while the triboelectric effect converts friction into electricity. Another alternative to batteries is supercapacitors, which store energy in an electric field rather than a chemical reaction. They charge and discharge quickly and have a longer lifespan than traditional batteries. These sustainable options and alternatives to batteries are being researched and developed by leading academics in the field of materials science and engineering. Dr. Jennifer Lewis, a professor of biologically inspired engineering at Harvard University, is leading a team that is working on creating 3D-printed energy storage devices using a hydrogel-based ink. Meanwhile, Dr. Yi Cui at Stanford University is researching how to improve the energy density and safety of solid-state batteries. By exploring academic topics like materials science and engineering, students can learn about the properties of different materials and how they can be manipulated to create sustainable technologies. You can also learn about the environmental impact of technology and how sustainable alternatives can mitigate these effects. In conclusion, sustainable alternatives to batteries offer exciting opportunities for innovation and environmental sustainability. By exploring academic topics related to these technologies, high school students can gain a deeper understanding of the scientific principles behind sustainable energy and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Scientists at SLAC and Stanford have found a way to generate low-carbon fuel from seawater by extracting hydrogen through a double-membrane system and electricity. Their innovative design could help advance efforts to produce clean energy and store energy for weeks, months or longer for electric grids. The study also provided a better understanding of how seawater ions move through membranes, which could help scientists design stronger membranes for other applications.

Coffee capsules - environmentally unfriendly or misunderstood? A study by the University of Quebec debunks the notion that coffee pods are wasteful and highlights their potential as a more sustainable way to enjoy your daily cup of joe.

As our understanding of the climate crisis deepens, it becomes increasingly important to explore non-fossil fuel sources of energy. Nuclear power is one such source that has a proven record as a non-fossil energy source, providing a reliable power baseline that can meet energy needs as we transition away from fossil fuels. While nuclear energy is not a solution to climate change, it emits no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases once up and running. However, it can be dangerous if safety protocols are not followed, and highly radioactive waste generated by nuclear power plants is challenging to store safely. Despite these challenges, nuclear power remains hard to ignore as a potential energy source. By exploring nuclear energy, students can gain a deeper understanding of the benefits and risks associated with this technology, and contribute to the ongoing conversation around how to meet our energy needs while mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Transform plastic waste and greenhouse gases into valuable products using just solar energy? Researchers from the University of Cambridge have achieved this groundbreaking feat in a solar-powered reactor, converting two waste streams into two different chemical products for the first time.

The fashion industry contributes 4% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, emitting as much as France, Germany, and the UK combined. McKinsey research shows that the industry is on track to overshoot its 1.5-degree pathway to mitigate climate change by almost twofold. However, almost 90% of the measures required for accelerated abatement would cost less than $50 per metric ton of GHG emissions abated. Discover how the entire fashion value chain can drive decarbonization and bring about real and lasting change for the better in the industry.

As demand for materials like copper and lithium skyrockets with the push for clean energy, companies are eyeing the ocean floor for a new source. But what are the potential consequences for marine life and ecosystems? Learn about the growing controversy and the UN's efforts to regulate deep-sea mining in this thought-provoking article.

As a society, we rely heavily on oil, but this addiction has led to environmental disasters like oil spills. However, nature has a way of cleaning up after us. Microbes, tiny bacteria that evolved to take advantage of oil and gas seeping from the sea floor, have been eating up oil spills for eons. In fact, a big bloom of microbes ate most of the 4.1 million barrels of oil spilt by BP's Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico. These microbes are not only oil-eaters, but they also eat plastics, making them a potential solution to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Scientists are working on enhancing microbes' ability to eat oil and plastic, which could help us clean up our messes faster. Learning about these microbes and how they can benefit us is not only intellectually stimulating, but it also has practical implications for our planet's health.